Psalm 46 (45):10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

However, in the present day, much of the world enjoys tranquility; people are productively engaged in their trades, cultivating the land, navigating the seas, with only a small number maintaining the role of soldiers to safeguard the others. Their existence would be unnecessary if we upheld our responsibilities and required no reminders through discipline. The prophet refers to 'fire' as the divine wrath, indicating that they would incinerate their instruments of war and chariots upon achieving a monumental victory, as Ezekiel recounts (Ezekiel 39:10). This event is well known among the learned.

The armaments we previously relied on are consumed if we allow ourselves to be ignited by the Holy Spirit, of whom it is declared, "He will burn up shields with fire." You sought to find strength within yourself, but God chose to humble you so that, through His power, He might restore your strength after your own was diminished.

The sea at the battle of Actium also bore the blood of Romans. It was due to a desire to avoid further civil unrest that the Roman Empire came under the rule of Julius Augustus—thus, the infighting subsided. This transition was significant because it enabled the apostles to be dispatched throughout the earth, acting on the command of the Lord Jesus, ‘Go, make disciples of all nations’ (Matt. 28:19). Even lands that had been unreachable due to barbarian uprisings were made accessible: Thomas went to India, and Matthew to Persia. So that the apostles might penetrate more territories, God established the Roman Empire across the globe, and, by granting peace, He quelled the discord among minds and nations. All inhabitants of this unified earthly realm learned, through faithful proclamations, to acknowledge the sovereignty of the one Almighty God. Undoubtedly, God has quelled conflicts to the ends of the earth. Yet, behold, He has not ceased the internal battle against vice residing in the hearts of those who waver. He who has triumphed over worldly concerns no longer laments: External threats, internal fears (2 Cor. 7:5), but rather proclaims: Our citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20). Conquer the world, that you may rise above it; for περάσαι signifies ‘to cross over,’ or perhaps more transparently, ‘to transcend.’ Thus, the Lord has dispelled the wars ignited by the spirit of evil within us, and, having vanquished the devil, has bestowed upon us His peace. He has shattered the bow from which the adversary launched fiery darts against us, and He has consumed with fire the shields of disbelief, ensuring that the shield of faith remains impervious.

Upon hearing these declarations, the apostles joyfully proclaimed to their adversaries, “The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Defender.” Therefore, those who have interpreted this psalm regarding Gog or have claimed it pertains to Ahaz should inquire whether it pertains to those occurrences when it was said, “Taking away the strife to the end of the earth.” In those times, God did not cease all conflict; rather, during the dominion of Gog and Magog, only Palestine experienced tranquility, and under Ahaz, it was limited to the tribe of Judah, as Phakeus the son of Romelin faced attacks from the Assyrians. However, this prophecy found its fulfillment under the Lordship of Christ. Initially, the minor kingdoms and their territories crumbled, resulting in a lack of even momentary peace, as every city remained armed, fearing unexpected assaults. Yet, in the era of our Savior Christ, the Roman Empire dismantled these fiefdoms, uniting all men to heed the preachers. Boldly, as if in a single realm, they traversed the land, spreading the redemptive message to the people. Thus, these words came to fruition: when the conflict is eliminated to the ends of the earth, the bow shall be shattered, the weapons shall be broken, and the shields shall be consumed by fire. Should anyone wish to interpret this allegorically, let them consider the end of hostilities directed at the Church, the divine peace bestowed upon humanity, and in doing so, they will recognize the truth of the prophecy.

Pay attention, dear reader, to the significance of the phrase: taking away or ceasing; for prior to Christ, battles resulted in death, but Christ ended these conflicts. As these wars caused destruction, Christ countered that destruction, bringing an end to them. The term βελοθηκη is mentioned, signifying a spear (κονταριον) forged from a single piece of iron, as Barinus explains. In his interpretation, St. Basil the Great states: The corruptible sword now cultivates life-giving seeds, which wisdom imparts to discerning souls... and the spear, once a distant instrument of conflict, has transformed into a tool for close association, creating unity much like sickles collect the scattered grain and bind it into sheaves. The bow will crush and shatter weapons, burning shields in flames. All this was historically and literally fulfilled, as Ezekiel records: The inhabitants of the cities of Israel shall go out and burn the weapons, including shields and spears, bows and arrows, staffs and darts, and they shall set them ablaze for seven years, so that they will not gather wood from the fields. Only the weapons will be consumed by fire (Ezekiel 39:9), referring specifically to the sword and all instruments wielded against adversaries in battle. David rightly attributes this monumental achievement to God, for it is through God’s strength and assistance that such works are accomplished.

Thus, when the Lord, who brings an end to strife, liberates him from every urge of lust, he will reach a level of sanctity that allows him, after dispelling the turmoil that once distressed him—namely, his body during the struggle—to begin to appreciate it as if it were a pure sanctuary.

By referencing additional miracles amidst despair, he illustrates God’s powerful interventions that resonate deeply with human experience. The phrase, “When the battle is taken away to the end of the earth, the bow shall crush and break the weapons,” is conveyed with the hope that the faithful will anticipate similar divine assistance in times to come, drawing from the lessons of the past. Sacred history asserts that God has consistently defended His church, not just once but repeatedly, by shattering bows, breaking weapons, and consuming shields in flames, thus eliminating strife from the land of Judah. It is likely that the Prophet used this context to remind the Jews of the numerous occasions when God dismantled the formidable forces of their adversaries. Without doubt, he recounts these miraculous acts to encourage us, in times of turmoil and upheaval, to turn to God, seeking from Him the promise of peace and tranquility.